Advances in surgery
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Since its description in the 1950s, the definition of Barrett's esophagus has evolved from the macroscopic visualization of gastric-appearing mucosa in the esophagus to the histologic identification of goblet cells confirming the presence of intestinal metaplasia within the esophagus. The length of intestinal metaplasia necessary to be classified as Barrett's, and the relationship between intestinal metaplasia of the esophagus and that limited to the cardia are all areas currently being evaluated. However, any segment of intestinal metaplasia is capable of undergoing dysplastic change and ultimately of becoming a focus of adenocarcinoma. ⋯ Also, adenocarcinoma can develop within the space of several months; and if the cancer is allowed to invade into the submucosa, 50% of these patients will have lymphatic metastases, thereby negating the purpose of surveillance. Although patients with high-grade dysplasia and intramucosal adenocarcinoma on biopsy who do not have an endoscopically visible lesion are unlikely to have lymphatic metastases, 7% do have submucosal invasion. Thus, even in these very early tumors, treatment directed only at the mucosa may be inadequate. (ABSTRACT